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Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

CONTEMPORARY STYLE

Used to refer to a time rather than an aesthetic, Contemporary art generally describes pieces created after 1970 or being made by living artists anywhere in the world. This immediacy means it encompasses art responding to the present moment through diverse subjects, media and themes. Contemporary painting, sculpture, photography, performance, digital art, video and more frequently includes work that is attempting to reshape current ideas about what art can be, from Felix Gonzalez-Torres’s use of candy to memorialize a lover he lost to AIDS-related complications to Jenny Holzer’s ongoing “Truisms,” a Conceptual series that sees provocative messages printed on billboards, T-shirts, benches and other public places that exist outside of formal exhibitions and the conventional “white cube” of galleries.

Contemporary art has been pushing the boundaries of creative expression for years. Its disruption of the traditional concepts of art are often aiming to engage viewers in complex questions about identity, society and culture. In the latter part of the 20th century, contemporary movements included Land art, in which artists like Robert Smithson and Michael Heizer create large-scale, site-specific sculptures, installations and other works in soil and bodies of water; Sound art, with artists such as Christian Marclay and Susan Philipsz centering art on sonic experiences; and New Media art, in which mass media and digital culture inform the work of artists such as Nam June Paik and Rafaël Rozendaal.

The first decades of the 21st century have seen the growth of Contemporary African art, the revival of figurative painting, the emergence of street art and the rise of NFTs, unique digital artworks that are powered by blockchain technology.

Major Contemporary artists practicing now include Ai Weiwei, Cecily Brown, David Hockney, Yayoi Kusama, Jeff Koons, Takashi Murakami and Kara Walker.

Find a collection of Contemporary prints, photography, paintings, sculptures and other art on 1stDibs.

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Style: Contemporary
'Color Interaction IV (9)' - color theory, glass beads, bright, saturated, grid
Located in Atlanta, GA
This piece features hues of peach, blue, and purple. Atlanta-based artist and designer Gretchen Wagner is influenced by the use of color and their interactions. Her most recent body...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Glass, Watercolor

'Color Interaction IV (9)' - color theory, glass beads, bright, saturated, grid
Located in Atlanta, GA
This piece features hues of pink and green. Atlanta-based artist and designer Gretchen Wagner is influenced by the use of color and their interactions. Her most recent body of work,...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Glass, Watercolor

Zinnias
Located in Burlingame, CA
'Zinnias' watercolor on paper. Gary Bukovnik, who fuses sensual vitality with fluid yet powerful colorations to create floral images of great depth, intensity, and size. Internation...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Aquardar (Waiting Expectantly) - Architectural Imagery, Doorways, Dappled Light
Located in Chicago, IL
Dappled sunlight dances across an ancient stone wall in an unknown town bringing a luminosity to the perfectly balanced composition by Carol Pylant. Watercolor and gouache come toget...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor, Gouache, Archival Paper, Color Pencil

Ballet No. 1
Located in Columbia, MO
I was raised between Stockholm, Sweden and southern France. Since childhood, I have felt divided between the introspective, solitary culture of the vast Swedish landscapes and the mo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pastel

Ballet No. 2
Located in Columbia, MO
I was raised between Stockholm, Sweden and southern France. Since childhood, I have felt divided between the introspective, solitary culture of the vast Swedish landscapes and the mo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pastel

Abandoned MO No. 3
Located in Columbia, MO
Joel D. Sager (b. 1980) is a contemporary American painter of landscapes, still-life and portraiture. Often drawing on such standard subject matter with economy and singularity— a so...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Ink, Cotton

Abandoned MO No. 2
Located in Columbia, MO
Joel D. Sager (b. 1980) is a contemporary American painter of landscapes, still-life and portraiture. Often drawing on such standard subject matter with economy and singularity— a so...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Cotton, Ink

Abandoned MO No. 1
Located in Columbia, MO
Joel D. Sager (b. 1980) is a contemporary American painter of landscapes, still-life and portraiture. Often drawing on such standard subject matter with economy and singularity— a so...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Cotton, Ink

Postcards from Beyond No. 32
Located in Columbia, MO
Joel D. Sager (b. 1980) is a contemporary American painter of landscapes, still-life and portraiture. Often drawing on such standard subject matter with economy and singularity— a so...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Ink

Postcards from Beyond No. 27
Located in Columbia, MO
Joel D. Sager (b. 1980) is a contemporary American painter of landscapes, still-life and portraiture. Often drawing on such standard subject matter with economy and singularity— a so...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Ink

Orange Tulips
Located in Burlingame, CA
'Orange Tulips' watercolor on paper. Gary Bukovnik, who fuses sensual vitality with fluid yet powerful colorations to create floral images of great depth, intensity, and size. Inter...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

The Wallflower, 5"x7", Dress Painting, Artwork On Paper, Green, Black
Located in Mississauga, Ontario
This delicate black dress features collage elements adding an extra touch of delicacy and charm. The artwork on paper blends paint, pencil and textile, against a softly patterned bac...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Acrylic, Pencil, Color Pencil, Fabric

Demon Mask with Skull Helmet in Neo-Japanese Style
Located in Soquel, CA
Demon Mask with Skull Helmet in Neo-Japanese Style Boldly colored depiction of a demon mask by an unknown artist. A bright yellow mask stares out at the viewer, with a broad grin. A...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor, Gouache, Permanent Marker

"Edifice V" contemporary drawing, abstract geometric, natural architecture
Located in Hamburg, HH
“Edifice” is a group of small works on paper created in 2024 by Amanda Andersen. This series of contemporary drawings explores architectural forms with elements of abstraction, sket...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink, Acrylic, Graphite

Elsa Peretti goes out for a drink. From the Art, culture & society series
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Elsa Peretti goes out for a drink, 2024 by Manuel Santelices From the Art, culture & society series Unframed Movies, TV. and magazines are constant source of inspiration. Fame, as f...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Gouache, Ink

Callas by Guy Oberson - Work on paper, contemporary painting, chalk, flowers
Located in Paris, FR
Callas is a unique black chalk on paper painting by contemporary artist Guy Oberson, dimensions are 49.5 × 41.5 cm (19.5 × 16.3 in). The artwork is signed, sold unframed and comes w...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Chalk, Paper

"Edifice II" contemporary drawing, abstract geometric, natural architecture
Located in Hamburg, HH
“Edifice” is a group of small works on paper created in 2024 by Amanda Andersen. This series of contemporary drawings explores architectural forms with elements of abstraction, sket...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink, Acrylic, Graphite

"Edifice VI" contemporary drawing, abstract geometric, natural architecture
Located in Hamburg, HH
“Edifice” is a group of small works on paper created in 2024 by Amanda Andersen. This series of contemporary drawings explores architectural forms with elements of abstraction, sket...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink, Acrylic, Graphite

Dream of Deads and Alives - Paint by Parimah Avani - 2023
Located in Roma, IT
Dream of Deads and Alives is a Drawing realized by Iranian artist and Poet Parimah Avani in 2023. China ink, acrylic on Japanese Washi Haruki paper with applied Papyrus, Plettenberg...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Charcoal, Ink, Acrylic

Spring Leap, Painting, Watercolor on Paper
Located in Yardley, PA
SPRING LEAP is a modern watercolor of greens and yellows on bright white art paper. This "leafy" design is expressive, yet minimal. *From my FLOW watercolor series of artworks* ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

Deity of Day and Night of the Ways - Paint by Parimah Avani - 2023
Located in Roma, IT
Deity of Day and Night of the Ways is a Drawing realized by Iranian artist and Poet Parimah Avani in 2023. China ink, acrylic, and mixed media on Himalayan Washi Lokta paper with ap...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Charcoal, Ink, Acrylic

Multiply and Divide, Dandelions, Bunny Rabbit, Animal, Gray, White, Black
Located in Kent, CT
Graphite drawing on Bristol paper of a rabbit surrounded by floating bits of dandelions gone to seed against a dark black background. Fox's excellent use of material allow her to ble...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Archival Paper, Graphite

"Edifice III" contemporary drawing, abstract geometric, natural architecture
Located in Hamburg, HH
“Edifice” is a group of small works on paper created in 2024 by Amanda Andersen. This series of contemporary drawings explores architectural forms with elements of abstraction, sket...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink, Acrylic, Graphite

Original-Breakfast with Cat Series-British Award Artist-Ink, oil on paper-UK art
Located in London, GB
This painting encapsulates the enchanting moments experienced during a series of breakfasts at Shizico Yi's Scotland home. Created plein air and in situ, scenes unfold over consecuti...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Ink, Sumi Ink, Archival Paper, Gesso, Oil, Acrylic

Original Set-Breakfast with Cat Series-British Award Artist-ink on papers-UK art
Located in London, GB
These two drawings as a set, encapsulate the enchanting moments experienced during a series of breakfasts at Shizico Yi's Scotland home. Created plein air and in situ, these scenes u...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Ink, Sumi Ink, Archival Paper, Charcoal

"Red Landscape" Original Art on Paper , large size
Located in Agrigento, AG
Red Landscape Original Art on Paper 60x70 cm 2023 Mineral oxide on paper Marilina Marchica was born in Agrigento, where she works and lives, After receiving her diploma at Liceo ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pigment

First Couple, First Moon - Paint by Parimah Avani - 2023
Located in Roma, IT
First Couple, First Moon is a Drawing realized by Iranian artist and Poet Parimah Avani in 2023. China ink, acrylic on Japanese Washi Haruki paper with applied Papyrus, Plettenberg,...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Charcoal, Ink, Acrylic

"Edifice IV" contemporary drawing, abstract geometric, natural architecture
Located in Hamburg, HH
“Edifice” is a group of small works on paper created in 2024 by Amanda Andersen. This series of contemporary drawings explores architectural forms with elements of abstraction, sket...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink, Acrylic, Graphite

"Edifice I" contemporary drawing, abstract geometric, natural architecture
Located in Hamburg, HH
“Edifice” is a group of small works on paper created in 2024 by Amanda Andersen. This series of contemporary drawings explores architectural forms with elements of abstraction, sket...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Acrylic, Graphite, Ink

Questioning the Dead Under Moonlight - Paint by Parimah Avani - 2023
Located in Roma, IT
Questioning the Dead Under Moonlight is a Drawing realized by Iranian artist and Poet Parimah Avani in 2023. China ink, acrylic on Japanese Washi Haruki paper with applied Papyrus, ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Charcoal, Ink, Acrylic

Messenger of the Afterlife - Paint by Parimah Avani - 2023
Located in Roma, IT
Messenger of the Afterlife is a Drawing realized by Iranian artist and Poet Parimah Avani in 2023. China ink, acrylic on Japanese Washi Haruki paper with applied Papyrus, Plettenber...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Charcoal, Ink, Acrylic

Goddess of Tears and Water - Paint by Parimah Avani - 2023
Located in Roma, IT
Goddess of Tears and Water is a Drawing realized by Iranian artist and Poet Parimah Avani in 2023. China ink, acrylic, and charcoal on traditional Japanese Kozo paper, with applied ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Charcoal, Ink, Acrylic

Goddess of Invisibility, Air, and Pendulants - Paint by Parimah Avani - 2023
Located in Roma, IT
Goddess of Invisibility, Air, and Pendulants is a Drawing realized by Iranian Painter and Poet Parimah Avani in 2023. China ink, acrylic, and charcoal on traditional Japanese Kozo p...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Charcoal, Ink, Acrylic

"Symbiotic String III" Paint on paper nature soft shapes neutral curves contrast
Located in Hamburg, HH
“Symbiotic Strings” is a series of three small studies of acrylic on paper created in 2024 by Amanda Andersen. Minimal forms grow into each other with a simplicity and serenity simi...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Acrylic, Graphite

Mother Earth - Painting by Parimah Avani - 2023
Located in Roma, IT
Mother Earth is a Drawing realized by Iranian artist and Poet Parimah Avani in 2023. China ink, acrylic, and charcoal on traditional Japanese Kozo paper, with applied Papyrus, Plett...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Charcoal, Ink, Acrylic, Paper

The Sleep - Blue, Black, Collage, Paper
Located in Berlin, DE
The Sleep, 2022 collage, colour wax, acrylic, tempera on paper 50 H x 70 W cm Signed on reverse Raluca Arnăutu dreams the world through collages. A collage, dreamlike and surreal, ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Wax Crayon, Acrylic, Tempera

Landscape BW, Original Art on Paper , Ready to Hang, by Marilina Marchica
Located in Agrigento, AG
Landscape BW Mineral Oxide on Paper 55x74 cm framed 68x88 cm Original Art Ready to Hang The use of natural materials such as mineral oxide powder connects the work to a dimension...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Pigment

"Symbiotic String I" Paint on paper, nature soft shapes, neutral curves contrast
Located in Hamburg, HH
“Symbiotic Strings” is a series of three small studies of acrylic on paper created in 2024 by Amanda Andersen. Minimal forms grow into each other with a simplicity and serenity simi...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Acrylic, Graphite

"Symbiotic String II" Paint on paper, nature soft shapes neutral curves contrast
Located in Hamburg, HH
“Symbiotic Strings” is a series of three small studies of acrylic on paper created in 2024 by Amanda Andersen. Minimal forms grow into each other with a simplicity and serenity simi...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Acrylic, Graphite

Study for Yves Saint Laurent and Mick Jagger. From the Fashion series
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Study for Yves Saint Laurent and Mick Jagger, 2024 by Manuel Santelices From the Fashion series Unframed The artist have covered the New York Collections for over 16 years and inter...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink, Permanent Marker

"tree-lined river" figurative water colour, china ink on paper.
Located in Roscoff, FR
"Tree-liner river" is a figurative watercolor work, made in India ink on paper, measuring 65x50 cm. This work evokes an aesthetic pleasure, a visual harmony in a moment of rest. The ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

Iris VIII, Original art work with pencil, Floral, Flower, Nature
Located in Deddington, GB
This drawing is one in a series of botanical line drawings depicting the seasonal flowers of English gardens and the countryside. Size: H:29.7 cm x W:21 cm Additional Information: ...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Pencil

River Dart Meander II, Devon Original painting, Landscape art, Forest, Nature
Located in Deddington, GB
River Dart Meander II is an original work by artist James Bonstow. Made with watercolour and Ink on paper. Using simple lines gestured with ink James suggests a variety of natural wo...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink, Mixed Media, Watercolor

William F. Buckley and Pat Buckley at home in NY. From the Interiors series
Located in Miami Beach, FL
William F. Buckley and Pat Buckley at home in NY, 2014 by Manuel Santelices From the Interiors series Unframed A new series inspired by architecture, décor and stylish personalities...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink, Watercolor

Gloom infinite I
Located in MADRID, ES
Drawing in gouache, made on a sheet of paper with lithographs from the 19th century (on the back), found in antique shops in Brussels, Belgium. Bela Silva's work, so organic and col...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Gouache

Eight of Hearts, mixed media silkscreen with hand applied acrylic, signed unique
Located in New York, NY
Robert Petersen Eight of Hearts, 1989 Mixed media silkscreen with hand applied acrylic on paper with deckled edges Hand signed, numbered 6/21, dated, and inscribed on the front Uniqu...
Category

1980s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Acrylic, Pencil, Graphite, Screen

On Human Relations - Deborah Sengl 21st Century Animal Figurative Drawing Unique
Located in Vienna, AT
On Human Relations (d’après Adolph Freiherr Knigge) - Deborah Sengl 21st Century Animal Figurative Drawing Unique Title: "About secret societies and dealing with their members" (Ori...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Mixed Media

Dancer - Drawing by Michel Estèbe - 1980s
Located in Roma, IT
Dancer is a China ink realized by Michel Estèbe in the Second half 20th Century Hand signed on the lower right margin. Good conditions with slight foxing. Michel Estèbe is a Frenc...
Category

1980s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Ink

Angle with Bird - Drawing by Leo Guida - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Angle with Bird is a modern artwork realized by Leo Guida in the 1970s. Good condition. Ink drawing on paper. Leo Guida has been able to weave a productive interview on art and th...
Category

1970s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink

Neighbor's Roses
Located in Burlingame, CA
'Neighbor's Roses' watercolor on paper. Gary Bukovnik, who fuses sensual vitality with fluid yet powerful colorations to create floral images of great depth, intensity, and size. In...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Toucan drawing, signed & inscribed in marker, held in elegant hardback monograph
Located in New York, NY
Hunt Slonem Original signed & inscribed drawing held in elegant hardback monograph, ca. 2012 Unique marker drawing bound in first front end page of lavishly illustrated hardback mono...
Category

2010s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Mixed Media, Board, Permanent Marker, Offset

Framed Original Painting on Canvas
Located in Chatsworth, CA
This is an original painting acrylic on canvas by Wyland. Hand signed by the artist, this piece comes framed and with a letter of authenticity. Measures approximately 36" x 46" (fram...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

Indigenous Woman - Drawing by Leo Guida - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Indigenous Woman is a modern artwork realized by Leo Guida in the 1970s. Good condition. Ink and watercolor on paper. Leo Guida has been able to weave a productive interview on ar...
Category

1970s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Ink, Watercolor, Paper

"Splash 87" Framed Original Watercolor Painting
Located in Chatsworth, CA
"Splash 87" is an original watercolor painting on deckle edge paper by Wyland, hand signed by the artist. Includes Letter of Authenticity. Measures approximately 37" x 30" (framed), ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

"Abstract 115" Framed Original Watercolor Painting
Located in Chatsworth, CA
"Abstract 115" is an original watercolor painting on deckle edge paper by Wyland, hand signed by the artist. Includes Letter of Authenticity. Measures approximately 30" x 37" (framed...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Watercolor

"Looking for Leisure", Figurative Illustration, Cheetah Motif, Paper, text
Located in Philadelphia, PA
"Looking for Leisure" is a piece by Kendra Dandy made from paint marker, pastel, watercolor, and acrylic on paper. This piece measures 24"h x 18"w framed,...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paste, Paper, Acrylic, Woodcut

Still Life - Drawing by Leo Guida - 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Still Life is a modern artwork realized by Leo Guida in the 1970s. Felt Pen drawing on paper. Good condition. Leo Guida has been able to weave a productive interview on art and th...
Category

1970s Contemporary Drawings and Watercolor Paintings

Materials

Paper, Ink

Contemporary drawings and watercolor paintings for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Contemporary drawings and watercolor paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. Works in this style were very popular during the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artists have continued to produce works inspired by this movement. If you’re looking to add drawings and watercolor paintings created in this style to introduce contrast in an otherwise neutral space in your home, the works available on 1stDibs include elements of blue, orange, purple, red and other colors. Many Pop art paintings were created by popular artists on 1stDibs, including Leo Guida, Reginald K. Gee, David Barnett, and Luis Miguel Valdes . Frequently made by artists working with Paper, and Paint and other materials, all of these pieces for sale are unique and have attracted attention over the years. Not every interior allows for large Contemporary drawings and watercolor paintings, so small editions measuring 0.79 inches across are also available. Prices for drawings and watercolor paintings made by famous or emerging artists can differ depending on medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $60 and tops out at $295,000, while the average work sells for $1,201.

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